Latest news with #Rachie
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Tenby Male Choir raised £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance
Tenby Male Choir's recent concert at St Mary's Church in Tenby raised £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance, with around 250 people in attendance. Anthony 'Tony' Key, OBE, aged 79, is the choir's MC and a former regional fundraising manager for the air ambulance. Mr Key said: "We have performed 13 concerts so far, seven of which have been fundraisers for charities and good causes. "We have raised £7,000 and have a few more events ahead." On the latest concert, he said: "We packed out St Mary's, around 250 people supported our event in aid of Wales Air Ambulance. "The atmosphere was electric. "We raised £2,000, that's the most we have ever raised at just one concert. "We only charge £10 per person and children under 16 go free, so we are delighted to be able to donate so much." Mr Key said it means a great deal to support the Wales Air Ambulance once again. He said: "I am hugely proud to be connected with the charity. "I worked for the air ambulance for five years before stepping down in 2016 to have more family time. "We live in such a rural part of Wales, so if something serious happens to you, your best hope is the onboard clinicians. "The service brings all the expertise that you would find in an emergency department to your doorstep or roadside. "I am so pleased that we have been able to support this incredible cause." The Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road. Mike May, regional fundraising manager for South West Wales, said: "Congratulations to all the Tenby Male Choir members on your amazing milestone. "We are delighted that as you celebrate your 50th anniversary, you have chosen us as one of the beneficiaries of your fundraising. "We'd like to extend a big thank you to all those who took part in the concert in aid of us and the generous supporters who attended on the night. "£2,000 is an incredible amount and every pound raised will help save lives." The choir opened the concert with the Welsh hymn Rachie, originally sung during the First World War, which Mr Key dedicated to the 'loyal and brave' pilots and clinicians of the air ambulance service. He said: "It's been so wonderful to bring together two things I am hugely passionate about, my singing and the amazing work of the Wales Air Ambulance." The choir's 50th anniversary concert will take place on September 4 at the De Valence Pavilion, with special guests including president Wynne Evans and feature choir Bella Voce.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
IN PICTURES: Yemeni Festival returned to Newport for 2025
The annual event, held at Pill Harriers Rugby Football Club, saw the Caldicot Male Voice Choir perform for the fourth time. Their wide-ranging set included songs such as Rachie, Hallelujah, and the Welsh National Anthem. The festival, organised by Reggie Al-Haddi and Newport councillor Debbie Jenkins, is aimed at promoting the Yemeni community's participation and acceptance of Welsh culture. It is a celebration of Yemeni music, dance, and costume, with activities for children, and demonstrations by St John's Ambulance and Gwent Police. The event concluded with a colourful parade of children in traditional Yemeni dress. Newport East MP Jessica Morden attended the festival and posted on social media: "A glorious afternoon at the Welsh Yemeni Festival today with Jayne and others. "Huge congratulations to Pill councillor Deb Jenkins, and Reggie, chair of the Newport Yemeni Community Association and everyone else involved for your hard work in pulling this year's event together - it's seems to grow every year!" After the festival, the choir returned to the rugby club to entertain members with more songs. Check out the gallery above of images from the event, captured by South Wales Argus Camera Club member John Hamblen.
Western Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembroke Male Choir sing to help Pembroke church bells fund
The concert was a successful fundraiser to restore working bells to the church tower, and details of the project were given by the St Mary's Bell Conductor, Ann Bunker. Choir and audience were welcomed by the Vicar, the Rev Heidi de Gruchy, and the concert was very much a family affair as her husband, the Rev William Lambert, is the choir's accompanist. Family teamwork was quickly in action as Rev Heidi came to the rescue when, during the first item, Rachie, the music stand on the keyboard fell off. With Heidi holding up the music, William never missed a note! Equilibrium restored, the choir continued in fine voice, backed up by MC Matthew John's humour and stories. Choir items included one of several new pieces learned in recent months, Anthem from the musical Chess,, songs from Les Miserables' and My Lord What A Morning. For the encore, American Trilogy, Matthew's appeal for reinforcements from the audience brought three men to join in, one a visitor from the Wirral. Two solo items demonstrated the splendid keyboard skills of Rev William who played a Chopin Polonaise and Clair de Lune by Debussy. The latest new chorister to stage was baritone Jonathan Price, soon to be joined by other recent additions to the baritone and bass sections. The first tenor section continues to hope that local men who can hit the higher notes will also be attracted to join this very friendly choir. The next concert is a special one, on Sunday May 4 at Monkton Priory Church, Pembroke, alongside old friends from Mansfield Male Voice, with some 60 choristers enjoying the superb acoustics of this magnificent church. The concert begins at 3.30 pm. Further details can be found on the choir's Facebook pages. Rev Heidi de Gruchy and Rev William Lambert are pictured at St Mary's Church by Pembroke and District Male Voice Chairman Huw Morgan (left) and new baritone chorister, Jonathan Price.
Pembrokeshire Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Choral concert raises funds to bring back St Mary's bells
CHORAL voices rang out at Pembroke's St Mary's Church in a joyful effort to raise funds for the return of the church bells. The Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir performed their latest concert in a busy spring programme, drawing a large and appreciative audience to the parish church. The event was a fundraiser to help restore the bells to working order in the church tower. The Vicar, the Rev Heidi de Gruchy, welcomed both choir and audience, and the project's background was outlined by the St Mary's Bell Conductor, Frances Bunker. In a heartwarming display of teamwork, Rev Heidi stepped in during the choir's opening item, 'Rachie', when the music stand on the keyboard collapsed. Her husband, the Rev William Lambert, who is the choir's accompanist, played on seamlessly as she held up the sheet music. Once equilibrium was restored, the choir continued in strong voice, with humour and introductions from MC Matthew John keeping spirits high throughout the evening. Highlights included 'Anthem' from the musical Chess, songs from Les Misérables, and the spiritual 'My Lord, What a Morning'. The encore, 'American Trilogy', brought an added touch of fun, with three members of the audience—including a visitor from the Wirral—joining the choir onstage at Matthew's invitation. Rev William also performed two solo piano pieces, showcasing his musical talents with Chopin's 'Polonaise' and Debussy's 'Clair de Lune'. Among the evening's notable moments was the concert debut of new baritone chorister Jonathan Price. He will soon be joined by other recruits in the baritone and bass sections. The choir continues to encourage more local men—especially tenors able to reach the higher notes—to come forward and join this welcoming group. The choir's next concert will take place on Sunday, May 4 at 3:30pm at Monkton Priory Church. They will be joined by old friends from the Mansfield Male Voice Choir, with around 60 choristers expected to fill the historic venue with sound. More details are available on the choir's Facebook page. Cover image: Bringing back the bells: The Revs Heidi de Gruchy and William Lambert are pictured at St Mary's Church with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir chairman Huw Morgan (left) and new chorister Jonathan Price. (Pic: P&D MVC)
